UH notebook: Air Raid message delivered loud and clear

Updated 1:09 am, Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Quarterback David Piland showed a command and playmaking ability that gives the Cougars hope heading into 2012.

Quarterback David Piland showed a command and playmaking ability that gives the Cougars hope heading into 2012.

Photo: Sam Khan Jr./Chronicle

UH notebook: Air Raid message delivered loud and clear

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As the pace slowed down and mistakes piled up, voices of several Houston coaches echoed throughout Robertson Stadium Saturday night during the Cougars' spring scrimmage under stadium lights. Whether it was coach Tony Levine, offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt or offensive line coach Lee Hays, there was plenty of vocal urgency as the Cougars' offensive tempo stagnated.

On Monday when the Cougars returned to the practice field - their eighth workout of 15, culminating April 13 for the Red-White spring game - voices could still be heard throughout the Methodist Training Center at Reliant Park. But it was mostly from the players. The communication among themselves was forthright and delivered: the Cougars have to hurry.

Mistakes were mostly eliminated. The offense moved crisply. Quarterback David Piland showed a command and playmaking ability that gives the Cougars hope heading into 2012, a year as much about winning as adapting to change - in personnel and coaching staff. Houston has become known nationally for its high-powered offense, which operated at a breakneck tempo under former quarterback Case Keenum. If they're going to keep that reputation, Levine and Nesbitt believe a fast pace remains one of the core goals.

"It has to be," Nesbitt said of the fast tempo. "I think that's our niche. Figure it this way: if you get an average of 13-14 possessions a game and five or six of those are scores, if you can get 10-12 or more plays, that's two more possessions. If the average is 13 or 14 and you get to 16, that's what you want, that extra series or two."

The players understand that, but it's not as simple as plugging in new players and moving along. Gone from are four senior receivers and a quarterback that broke every major passing record in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision history. And while Nesbitt's offense is still the Air Raid, he has his own tweaks and concepts the Cougars are installing and learning, just as Kliff Kingsbury put his own spin on the offense in his two seasons before joining Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M.

The primary goal for Piland is full grasp of the nuances of the offense and learn from what Keenum did; minimize interceptions.

An understanding of the offense and minimizing mistakes will keep the offensive tempo at the right rhythm.

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Cougars summary

Softball

The Cougars (20-15, 9-3 Conference USA) moved into third place with a series win against UAB (20-13, 7-2) Saturday and Sunday. The Cougars split a doubleheader with the Blazers Saturday then edged them 6-5, Sunday.

Swimming and diving

UH divers Julia Lonnegren and Natasha Burgess were named Conference USA Diver of the Year and C-USA Freshman Diver of the Year. Lonnegren won the C-USA title in the one-meter, three-meter and platform dives. Burgess finished second in all three events to garner the freshman award.

"(I want to) completely understand what the offensive coaches want from me," Piland said. "Understanding protections ... the little tweaks that have changed. I want to be on the same page as them at the same time."